"The Life of God in the Soul of the Life Group"

1. Jesus is God, "perichoresis", John 1:1-18.

2. Jesus is man, "homoousian", John 1:1-18; Matthew 1.

3. Therefore, we can know God by Jesus, John 17:3; Hebrews 1:1-3.

4. He knows us as sons, we live in Him, He lives in us, 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 1:27; Ephesians 5:29-32; John 14:16-20; 1 John 3:1-3, 1 Corinthians 8:3; Colossians 3:1-4; Ephesians 2:22.

5. We know Him as Father, John 14:23; 17:25-26; 8:19-46.

6. This life, by its very nature, desires to be shared, Job 32:18-22; Jeremiah 20:9; Acts 4:19-20; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23.

7. We are also commanded to share this life. Since God is missional we must be also; we are commanded to be missional, John 17:18; 20:21; Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:16-20.

8. The sharing of life continues with and for and to others who know Him. We share the life of Christ with each other. The most effective way to practice the means of grace is in the fellowship of a Life Group/Community group.

What are the essentials of this early experience of the fellowship of the Trinity? What does a Life/Community group look like?

1. Part and parcel to a local church.
2. Joy and holiness.
3. The Word.
4. Loving service.
5. Prayer.
6. Stranger friendly.

Life Group Discussion Guide
1. What are some words you would use to explain the relationship that God has with Himself?
2. What are some words you would use to explain the relationship you have with co-workers? Family? Neighbors? Friends at church?
3. What are some essential community skills that are necessary for a Life/Community group to operate well, function efficiently, biblically?
4. Why should a life group be under the care of a local church?
5. What does it mean for a group to be stranger welcoming?

Advent Catechism:

Question: What kind of sacrifice did Jesus make on our behalf?

Answer: We believe that Jesus Christ is a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek and that he presented himself in our name before his Father, to appease his wrath with full satisfaction by offering himself on the tree of the cross and pouring out his precious blood for the cleansing of our sins, as the prophets had predicted…And he endured all this for the forgiveness of our sins. (Belgic Confession, Article 20)

Scripture: 

Romans 3:23-25 (ESV) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.